Member Reviews

Talk about a book hangover .... I couldn’t not have loved this book more . Rachel’s characters had so much depth, it was quite a journey watching the layers get peeled back as the story progressed!
Slade and Mackenzie’s story just had me hooked from the first meeting , I could not put this book down! You couldn’t help but root for the HEA... thank you Rachel and netgalley for my ARC ... This book will definitely be added to my read again and again folder

Perfect beach read!

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4 stars

I absolutely enjoyed this book and a great start to Author Rachel Van Dyken's new series Red Card. We venture into the sports field with this one. I did not know alot about soccer but think I do now.

Mackenzie thought she had it all; great job, supportive family and a loving fiance until she is left at the alter on her wedding day. She can not seem to understand how he could do such a thing to her. But after trying to get on with her life, she knows she just needs to get away for a few days to find herself again.

Slade is that guy, the star athlete that has becomes famous in his sport, supportive family and any chick he wants. But once in awhile you just want to be you. Not all of the labels that are placed on you. So a much needed vacation is exactly what Slade needs.

A chance encounter between Mackenzie and Slade will turn their worlds upside down if only for the weekend. When faced with the chance of death, you take the chance. You face death head on. Both Mackenzie and Slade will be forced to face demons once they return to their lives but life has a way of coming full circle.

The banner between Slade and Mackenzie had me laughing out loud at how easily their relationship was. They were meant for each other. But can they both put the past behind them and move forward together?

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I loved, loved, loved it! I can't get enough of this authors romantic comedies! I adored Mackenzie and Slade.

This book was awesome!

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Blurb:
Even one-night stands deserve a second chance in New York Times bestselling author Rachel Van Dyken’s novel of sporting desire.
What else can a virgin do when she’s ditched at the altar? Seattle heiress Mackenzie Dupont is treating herself to a single-girl honeymoon in Mexico and a desire to relinquish her innocence to a gorgeous one-night stand. Fake names. True pleasure. But when she wakes up alone, Mackenzie realizes just how much anger is left in her broken heart.
Suffering a tragic personal loss, pro soccer player Slade Rodriguez has his reasons for vanishing without a goodbye. Right or wrong, he’s blaming the beautiful and infuriating stranger he never wants to see again. They’re both in for a shock when Mackenzie shows up as his new personal assistant. And they both have a lot to learn about each other. Because they share more than they could possibly know, including a common enemy who’s playing his own games. And he’s not afraid to get dirty.
Now there’s only one way Mackenzie and Slade can win: to trust in each other and to stop hiding from the lies they’ve told, the secrets they’ve kept, the mistakes they’ve made, and the attraction that still burns between them.

Review, spoilers!!!:
Mack just wants to belong….
After being left at the altar by her fiancé, Mack goes on their honeymoon trip. On the plane she meets a gorgeous man. They kiss when she thinks they`re going to die. They end up at the same resort and they have a one-night stand. It was supposed to be a holiday affair, but Slade gets horrible news and bails.
Back home Mack gets another job, she doesn`t want to work with her ex. She ends up working for Slade, who is a total idiot to her. They end up spending time together and slowly fall for each other, she begins to see the sweet side to Slade again.
Jagger, Astons friends (Mack`s ex), also is interested in Mack. He is a fellow soccerplayer like Slade. They can`t stand each other because of something that happened in the past.
Mack and Slade eventually get together, but trouble finds them. Will they make it?

What I liked:
The UST nomnom I love that! Slade is a cutie except for the beginning after their one-night stand, which wasn`t supposed to be a one-night stand.
That man totally went all Alpha a couple of times…. Swoon. Especially when his ex talked about Mack.
Jagger and Matt, I hope they get their own book.

What I didn`t like:
Slade being a jerk in the beginning. And those SOB exes. But they made for a great story.

Favourite quote/lines in book:
“You`re fooling no one. I know what you want. But she`s mine.”

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Rachel has done it again!! This was such an amazing start to a new series. Rachel writes such amazing sports stories because the descriptions are so detailed. The sweat on his body 😍. Rachel is also able to tell a large of amount of time/story in just a few chapters and you don’t really miss out on anything. I loved getting the wedding disaster backstory and their 1 night together but reading her journey by herself and learning who she is was the best part. At 30, she got to decide who to be and what she wanted out of life which made is so much better on their journey together! I can’t wait to see who else will get a book! Matt???

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Risky Play was the perfect blend of heart and humor. The hero, Slade, had me laughing throughout the whole book. Mackenzie was the perfect heroine. She was strong, sweet, and stuck up for herself. I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a fun romance.

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This was sooooo good!!! I really really enjoyed it. The chemistry was off the charts good and they were both hot hot hot! I received this ARC for an honest review via netgalley.

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This was an enjoyable book as normally all of Rachel's books tend to be. We have Mack whose fiance broke up with her at the altar, that was horrible (scumbag), and she felt lost because he was her best friend had been for years she felt like it was her and him against everyone else, she didn't love him but she didn't deserve that. She decided to go on her honeymoon by herself (six months later) and she ends up meeting Slade, even though he told her Hugo, but she lied about her name also. And the craziness begins, we have a love triangle between Mack and Slade and Jagger, who come to find out had love triangle years ago. Craziness with exes who might I say are horrible people, horrible. Anyway I so do not want to give away spoiler grab it, it will keep you entertained til the end. Enjoy!

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Risky Play was a fun read! I really enjoyed the characters of Slade and Mackenzie. This is a fun story of Slade and Mackenzie meeting while on a trip to Mexico, shortly after Mack was left at the altar of her wedding. They have a fun fling, albeit short-lived due to some circumstances, but they reconnect when Mack becomes his housekeeper for a short project. There's passion in Mexico, and then some slow-burn as they fight and try to keep their distance, and then more passion. I also like the new bro-mance between Slade and Jagger...that made me laugh a lot. I could see the author carrying this on and giving Jagger his own book. I definitely recommend this book.

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I received a complimentary copy of this book through Netgalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
Heiress Mackenzie gets dumped at the altar by her longtime boyfriend Alton. She decides to take her honeymoon trip alone and meets soccer star Slade on the plane when it almost crashes. They have one amazing night, then Slade disappears.
Months later, in a coincidence that only happens in fiction, Mackenzie takes a job as a personal assistant to (surprise, surprise) Slade.
I'm not much of a romance fan, but I was in the mood for something light and fun. I thought the characters had good chemistry and the banter between them was cute and funny.

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this was.. not good. first of all, it didn’t feel set in seattle, AT ALL. and that was very disappointing, but second of all and more importantly, he undressed her while she was asleep and took her grunts and snores for approval and this wasn't discussed as how bad this was at all? There was no reason for him to undress her, and I am very disappointed this is in a book published in 2019.

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I have read many of this author's books because she writes well with likable characters. This book is no exception because it was hot!! The chemistry between Slade and Mack should not have worked but they met under really tough circumstances. She had been left at the altar at her wedding and her father kept the man as his employee. Her feelings are raw. Then on flight to her "honeymoon" an engine fails and handsome guy next to her gets her through that potentially horrible situation. There is much about Slade that will keep him from book boyfriend material...appears maybe he's not sensitive enough but he's a good guy anyway.

Nice HEA. I hope Jagger and Matt get their own books??!!!

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LOVED IT!!!!!!! another amazing book by Rachel Van Dyken, it was witty, funny, emotional and maddening at the same time! I loved this couple from beginning to end!

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When I read the synopsis for Risky Play, I was skeptical! But I had to give it a shot. Thirty year old heiress gets left at the alter on her wedding day, ends up meeting a famous soccer player (who she doesn’t recognize) on the way to what was supposed to be her honeymoon. They give each other fake names and end up hooking up. Oh, and did I mention she’s a virgin?! I figured if nothing else I might get a laugh from how crazy the storyline is, I was not at all expecting to like this book. I was SO wrong.

I judged this book by the cover and the synopsis, and a little bit because the male characters name is Slade (turns out I don’t like when characters sound like they’re in a romance book). I had no idea how quickly the story would grab me or how weirdly attached to the characters I would become! Risky Play is a fun, sexy joyride and I am here for it. Rachel Van Dyken’s writing sucked me in from the first page, and even though I initially thought the storyline would be bizarre, it was actually pretty fantastic. This was a solid 4 star read in my opinion! I’m looking forward to reading more of her books and reading the next book in this series!

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Suffering a tragic personal loss, pro soccer player Slade Rodriguez has his reasons for vanishing without a goodbye. Right or wrong, he’s blaming the beautiful and infuriating stranger he never wants to see again. They’re both in for a shock when Mackenzie shows up as his new personal assistant.When I started reading I couldn't put it down.Rachel Van Dyken is magnifysent and amazing writer.I cannot wait to read more of there books.Keep up the great work.You should definitely read this book.Can't wait for the next book.

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One night stand turns into something more when Mackenzie shows up to be hockey player, Slade's new personal assistant. I liked how Mackenzie never gives up on Slade even though he keeps messing up. A fun, quick read.

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**I received a copy of Risky Play from Skyscape Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are mine alone and not solicited.**

Risky Play by Rachel Van Dyken is the first book in the authors Red Card series. I haven't read the author before so I was quite surprised at how good and the humor between the Matt and Slider was truly awesome. How could you resist Alfie, Slade's bulldog? His loyalty could be swayed with kibble and walks. If I could give Risky Play more than 5 stars hands down it's worth at least 10 stars.

Slade Rodriguez is the new slider for the Seattle Sounders and a recent transplant to our rainy city but when his ex-girlfriend not only betrayed his trust and heart So before he has to report to the Sounders he decides to take a vacation to Mexico, while on the flight he meets Mackenzie who also had her own rejection from her would-be-groom. Between to two of them they'll spend one day having fun until a tragic loss sends Slade back to his home leaving Mac with no knowledge of why he left. When he meets Mackenzie again he'll treat her with angry words and she'll feed him with food and kindness. Can they work on their trust issues and learn to love each other? Or will a past betrayal take Mackenzie from him with their lies?

Mackenzie DuPont is not only a heiress but a talented wine taster when the man she grew up with and loved has left her standing at the altar. When she decides to go to Mexico little does she know that she'll meet Slade but also have one day having more adventure but she'll once again be left alone while wondering what she did wrong. When her father decides to keep her ex-fiance she'll take a break and work for her cousin who sends her to be a personal assistant to yep, you guessed it Slade's house. Between their banter together they'll build a friendship, love and trust. But old foes never seem to go away as both Mac and Slade will have to battle lies from past loves before they get to their happily ever after.

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I absolutely loved getting lost in Slade & Mackenzie's story! Ms Blakely starts things out with a jilted virginal bride who decides to go on her honeymoon anyway and basically grief bang herself better. She meets Slade who's got hos own issues going on and they end up having a one nighter - but then he basically goasts her, only for them to cross paths again in an extremely uncomfortable situation.

This could have been a very trite and typical plot, but as with most of Laren's books - there are so many more layers. I got all the feels watching those two finally start to SEE each other and much satisfaction from seeing karma being the vengeful bitch she is with our "bad guy".

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this and can't wait for the next in the series.

*This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review* #RiskyPlay #NetGalley

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Gahhhh RVD is always a hit. I love her words so much. No one can tell a story like her. I swear, I swooned so much throughout this book. My kindle is allllll highlights.

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Loved, loved this book. Was hard to put down. I had intense emotions of laughter, fun and at times wanting to hunt down Slade and punch him in the face. Mackenzie and Slade chemistry was unbelievable there banter and steamy relationships had me wanting to continue reading. During this book both characters had to do some growing from tough situations and learned to lean on each other. Great read

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